With Ontario having recently elected a majority Ford Government, it is a great opportunity to remind everyone of the opportunities that lie ahead for the convenience store sector and areas where each family run corner store might want to discuss with their newly elected MPP.
We are fortunate during Covid to be deemed an essential service and thank all for your efforts, long hours and responsibility of
managing the issues faced by many. We have just completed Convenience Week in Ontario as declared by the government and appreciate the entire industry being recognized during the last week of August.
It is now time to look ahead and focus on getting the promised beer/wine and RTD’s in our channel (like all other jurisdictions in North America).
Let’s remind local MPP’s and also ask them not to entertain extending
the Beer Store exclusive agreement signed by the previous liberal government.
For gas station owners, we need the government to move forward with the promise of PrePay at the pumps to minimize drive offs and protect our employees and customers from these planned thefts.
Contraband tobacco stills sits at the 30-35% sales area and we need to find a solution with the Ministry of Finance to minimize this practice of
untaxed cigarettes infiltrating our communities.
Lottery is our single largest customer draw, and we would still appreciate additional incremental programs allowing for commission opportunities or an across the board increase in commissions to all family runs stores.
Supply chain costs need to be addressed and retailers need to research how best to bring down the costs of goods by looking at local cash &
carry options, group purchasing or more DSD models to your stores.
